Clearview taxes could rise 4.02%

STAYNER - Clearview Township council will present the 2013 draft budget to the public at a meeting on Monday, Feb. 11.

Taxpayers are looking at a 9.53 per cent increase or 4.02 per cent when taxes for the county, school boards and OPP are factored in.

A homeowner with a property assessed at the average of $250,750 is looking at paying $2,854 in taxes, $110.34 more than a year ago.

Council is proposing a $20.4-million operating budget, compared to $18.7-million in 2012.

On the capital side – money for such things as new infrastructure and equipment – council is proposing a $45.3-million budget, compared to $44.7-million last year.

Treasurer Edward Henley noted that a number of items in the capital budget were in the budget last year but the money wasn’t spent due to a lack of outside funding that was required for the work to go ahead.

He said the largest capital project this year is the Stayner/Wasaga sewer connection, which also includes the installation of servicing to Stayner’s industrial area in the west end of town. Council has earmarked $5-million for the work – funds it will recoup through development charges. Another $10-million for the work was secured from the federal and provincial governments, with each contributing $5-million.

Council has also budgeted $20,000 for new digital signage, such as the information signs that can be found in the lobby of the municipal office and in the arenas.

Another $20,000 is budgeted for computer and software replacements.

The township has also set aside $395,000 for a pumper/tanker for the Clearview Fire Department, a truck that was ordered last year. And $258,000 is marked for a new pumper truck. The municipality is trying to replace a fire truck each year.

Two other big capital investments include $500,000 for a new culvert on Nottawasaga Concession 6 and $100,000 for a new bridge on Mowat Street in Stayner.

Several hundred thousand dollars is earmarked for road paving, including $50,000 for Sydenham Trail West in Duntroon and $165,000 for Nottawasaga Concession 6, between Sideroad 21/22 and County Road 91. Council is also planning to spend $315,000 to pave Fairgrounds Road, between 12/13 Sideroad and 21/22 Sideroad.

Another $110,000 is budgeted for sidewalk construction in the township.

At the Stayner Community Centre, $15,000 is budgeted to replace the ceiling and $7,000 is noted for new hot water tanks at the facility. As well, officials plan to spend $8,000 to replace the community centre’s sound system.

For the Stayner Arena, council has marked $80,000 for a new ice re-surfacer.

Over at the Creemore Arena, $50,000 is set aside to replace the boards and another $50,000 to repave the parking lot.

And in Stayner, at Ives Park, $30,000 is budgeted to replace the bleachers.

Also, council is budgeting $50,000 for the expansion of Station Park.

At Gowan Park in Creemore, council has budgeted $5,000 for picnic tables and another $5,000 for playground equipment at Jardine Park.

Council is also planning to spend $15,000 on dugout upgrades for diamond 1 at New Lowell Recreation Park and $10,000 on upgrades to the infield at Nottawa Park.

On trail construction between New Lowell and Creemore, $310,000 is budgeted.

Council has set aside $76,400 for the Clearview Public Library to use to purchase new books and other materials.

And $500,000 is budgeted for the Creemore Medical Centre expansion project, of which $350,000 will come from fundraising. The remainder of the funds will be borrowed. The loan will be paid for using rental fees from the doctors that use the facility.

Council has also budgeted $50,000 so the Economic Development Committee can conduct a branding exercise for the township.

And $10,000 is budgeted for a pilot project that will see a bus operate between Stayner, Collingwood and Wasaga.

Henley noted that council has also created some new reserve accounts in order to help pay for future infrastructure upgrades. This includes a new arena reserve, where officials plan to deposit $50,000 this year. There is also a reserve for upgrades at local community halls. This is year council is planning to set $50,000 aside.

Henley added that council is also planning to increase the amount it places into reserves each year for bridge construction. This year they are setting aside $300,000, a $50,000 increase.

As for policing, it’s estimated Clearview will spend $2.36-million, about $15,000 more than in 2012.

It’s also estimated that Clearview will collect $4.8-million for the County of Simcoe, roughly the same amount as last year and about $5-million for the school boards, about the same as a year ago.

At the Feb. 11 meeting, which will start at 7:15 p.m., Henley will give a complete overview of the 2013 draft budget. He said there will also be an opportunity for people to ask questions.

Mayor Ken Ferguson said he’s looking forward to hearing from the public.

“Hopefully we’ll get some good responses,” he said. “I really want the feedback.”

Ferguson said that in terms of capital spending council is striving to ensure the municipality’s infrastructure is looked after.

The mayor added he’d like to get the tax increase down to three or 3.5 per cent.

Eliminated this year is the budget open house, which Henley said local residents didn’t seem to value.

Following the Feb. 11 meeting, council will hold another budget workshop on March 4 to make further revisions to the budget, if required, and Henley said at that night’s council meeting it’s anticipated elected officials will approve the budget.

He said the tax rate bylaw will likely be put before council for approval in April or May.

The full draft budget can be found on the township website at www.clearview.ca.